Pepsi-Cola leverages manufacturing partnership to attain operational excellence
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Established almost 70 years ago, Pepsi-Cola of Missoula & Kalispell are locally owned beverage distribution companies that employ more than 120 employees in Western Montana, serving the Missoula Valley with more than 450 different products. Since 2018, General Manager Jevon Staples has worked with the Western Montana Manufacturing Partnership (WMMP) to learn and implement lean strategies.
Read about Pepsi-Cola's success in expediting the distribution of products, improving product receiving and picking, enhancing facility maintenance, and more.
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Innovative Ag Research at MSU
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 New Uses for Montana Hemp? The Montana Farmers Union is working with the MSU College of Engineering on creating a concrete binder from the byproducts of hemp stalks. “MSU undergraduate tests building material made of crop byproducts” describes the testing taking place in the MSU Structural Labs. (Photo by MSU News Service)
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CMMC Version 1.0 Released
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The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is here! For federal contractors, that means new requirements for cybersecurity. The good news is that it builds upon existing regulations and controls, and also that there is lots of information and assistance available to help with preparation and compliance. According to the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment,
- The CMMC will review and combine various cybersecurity standards and best practices and map these controls and processes across several maturity levels that range from basic cyber hygiene to advanced. For a given CMMC level, the associated controls and processes, when implemented, will reduce risk against a specific set of cyber threats.
- The CMMC effort builds upon existing regulation (DFARS 252.204-7012) that is based on trust by adding a verification component with respect to cybersecurity requirements.
- The goal is for CMMC to be cost-effective and affordable for small businesses to implement at the lower CMMC levels.
- The intent is for certified independent 3rd party organizations to conduct audits and inform risk.
On the CMMC V1.0 page, you can download copies of the briefings and other documents.
For more information on the CMMC and general cybersecurity, the Cybersecurity Resources for Manufacturers site is a great place to start. You can also pick up the phone and call us at 406-994-3812 or drop us an email.
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Survey Opportunity: Tell Us Your Marketing Needs
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MMEC and A.D. Creative Group are conducting a marketing analysis for the clients of the Center to evaluate how to best serve Montana manufacturers in the area of marketing and promoting your manufacturing business, including recruiting. Please click on the image below to take the survey! |
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NIST Wants Your Input on Cybersecurity! NIST wants feedback from manufacturers on its Cybersecurity Framework and related documents. The public comment period for this document ends February 24, 2020. See the publication details for a copy of the document and instructions for submitting comments.
Preparing for a New Decade of U.S. Manufacturing. This NIST article summarizes the results of an MEP survey to identify the top challenges faced by manufacturers at the start of 2020.
Serving Up Food in the Rocky Mountains. Ready Foods in Colorado uses the Manufacturer’s Edge program to conduct strategic planning and implement new ideas.
The Manufacturing Landscape. An MEP economist reviews key economic indicators from 2019 and discusses their implications for the new year.
So Your Manufacturing Day Inspired Students… How Do You Keep the Momentum Going? NIST describes examples of educational partnerships for ongoing activities with students.
Eight Drivers for Manufacturing’s Next 50 Years. Industry Week predicts the next wave of transformative changes in the industry.
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BSTF Grants Awarded. Governor Steve Bullock announced that almost $1.4 million will be available to support growing Main Street businesses to train new workers and create new jobs through the Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund (BSTF) Job Creation Program. In addition, the Montana Department of Commerce selected 12 communities across Montana to receive funding to support local economies in planning for sustainable business growth.
The Trade War Comes to Montana. The Montana World Trade Center reports on the impact of tariffs on the state’s exports and economy.
The Future of Bioscience Research. An editorial in the Montana Standard discusses how bioscience research can revitalize the Mountain West economy.
Grants for Women Business Owners. The Prospera Business Network has announced that the 2nd annual MT Women’s Business Center Impact Grant is officially open! Women business owners (51% or more ownership) can apply for up to $10,000 to take their businesses to the next level! The recommended submission deadline is February 26. Application materials available online.
Bioscience Grants Now Available. MonTEC and the University of Montana are accepting grant applications from bioscience companies. Assistance is available for small equipment purchases, conference travel, and other uses.
Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP). Learn about SBEAP programs and services that will help you learn how to comply with environmental regulations, prevent pollution and improve environmental quality.
USDA Rural Energy Grants. The USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) offers grants for renewable energy installations such as solar, wind, and high efficiency HVAC systems. For information on eligible projects, visit the REAP program webpage.
Growth Through Agriculture Program (GTA). Montana Department of Agriculture presentation from a webinar on “How to Apply for a GTA Grant/Loan.”
Export Insurance. The Export-Import Bank of the U.S. has released a Guide to Export Credit Insurance.
The State of Montana Manufacturing 2019
Montana Economic Development Report 2019.
Montana Economy at A Glance. 2019 Fact Sheet from the MT Department of Labor & Industry.
Apprenticeship Incentive Grant Application
Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund (BSTF)
Incumbent Worker Training Program
Invest in Opportunity Zone Tax Benefits
Montana Pollution Prevention Program
Primary Sector Workforce Training Grant
Rocky Mountain Trade Adjustment Assistance Center
State Trade Expansion Program grant
Other resources
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Director of Operations
Electrical/Controls Engineer
Technical Sales Engineer
Senior Mechanical Engineer
Polymer Materials Engineer
3D Tekla Structures Specialist
CNC Foreman
Production Manager – Heavy Structural Steel
Structural Welding Foreman/Structural Welders
Refrigeration/HVAC Technician
Field Service Technician
Maintenance Technician
CAD Drafter
Safety Coordinator
Administrative Coordinator
Industrial Engineer or I.E. Grad Student
See our website for more positions and application details, or to submit a job posting |
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 Help Montana manufacturers succeed! MMEC is recruiting a new Business Advisor, who will be based in Butte. The Advisor will support MMEC's mission by providing growth, innovation, efficiency, compliance, and managerial assistance.
Read the full job announcement for more details. |
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Upcoming Events for Manufacturers
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Northwest Food and Beverage World. Join MMEC at the Biggest Regional Show in North America, February 17-19 in Spokane, WA. To register, visit https://www.foodandbeverageworld.org/2020 (discount code available - contact MMEC for details).
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Don't miss these job fair opportunities and workforce development events!
Job Fair. Save the Date for the 2020 Job Fair Jamboree on April 8, 2020 at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds. Reserve a booth starting on February 1.
Finding Good Workers. The 2020 Montana Economic Outlook Seminar will focus on Finding Good Workers. The half-day seminars will be held in 10 cities across the state from January – March 2020.
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Can't make it to the event? Send recruitment materials to Jenni at MMEC and we'll include them at our table!
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Building Your Brand. SBA Workshop on brand identity and Building Your Brand in Billings on February 25.
Introduction to Government Contracting. Montana PTAC is hosting workshops on Introduction to Government Contracting in Great Falls on February 26 and in Havre on March 5.
Making Montana. ImagineIF Libraries, Montana West Economic Development and Flathead Valley Community College’s Center for Manufacturing Advancement will host Making Montana in Kalispell on February 28-29, a two-day celebration of innovation, problem-solving and collaboration. with other community organizations.
Cybersecurity Tips. Free workshop in Great Falls on March 4 on Cybersecurity Tips to Keep Your Company Safe.
Women in Technology Summit. Registration is open for the International Women’s Day Summit on March 6 in Bozeman -- a learning and networking event for women in technology.
HR Workshop. The Montana High Tech Business Alliance is hosting the “Top 10 Things to Know about HR” in Bozeman on March 12.
Made in Montana Tradeshow. The Made in Montana Tradeshow for Food & Gifts will be held in Helena on March 13-14. (Note – exhibitor spaces are already sold out.)
2020 Small Business Summit. Save the Date! The Montana Department of Transportation is hosting the 2020 Small Business Summit on April 1-2, 2020 in Helena. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet with speakers, procurement officials and contracting officers from state agencies.
SBIR/STTR Proposal Lab. Montana Innovation Partnership and Montana TechLink are hosting a one-day intensive SBIR/STTR proposal workshop in Bozeman on April 7. Learn how to navigate and prepare a competitive Department of Defense Phase I SBIR or STTR proposal!
Aerospace Expo. Aerospace manufacturers -- plan now for the I-90 Aerospace Corridor Conference & Expo, to be held April 22-23 in Spokane, Washington.
Associated Employers. Associated Employers has released its Winter 2019-2020 Training Catalog, which includes a variety of HR, leadership and customer service courses.
Recurring Events:
Leadership Series: Leadership Beyond the Nuts and Bolts Missoula Chamber
Ongoing Events SafetyFest MT
Webinar Recordings Advancing Your Machine Shop
Recorded Webinar Financial Planning and Analysis Optimization: The Keys to Moving Past Results Toward Tomorrow's Opportunities (WIPFLi)
Recorded Webinar Small Business Webinar Series
Register for the next webinar Cybersecurity for Small Manufacturers (Cytellix)
Upcoming events Associated Employers
Upcoming events Montana Chamber of Commerce
Upcoming events Montana High Tech Business Alliance
News and events Montana Associated Technology Roundtables
Export Training, News, and Events Montana World Trade Center
Upcoming Trade Missions, webinars, and events U.S. International Trade Administration
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A Special Thank You to our Partners
and event sponsors
 
  
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Manufacturers
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